This short explainer will provide you with a straightforward understanding of what the Stoic virtue of Temperance is and how you can apply it in your life. Definition Of Stoic Temperance Stoic Temperance comes from the Greek term “sophrosyne” (σωφροσύνη). The definition of the virtue is thought to precede the Stoics and can be found in […] The post What is Stoic Temperance? appeared first on What Is Stoicism ..read more

Whether we feel held back by our many personal responsibilities or stifled by our work environment, we all harbor a desire for more freedom. We often bemoan the restrictions that are placed on us. But what actually is freedom and how do we attain it? Well, as the Stoic teacher Epictetus once said: “Only the […] The post Only The Philosophical Are Free appeared first on What Is Stoicism ..read more

Daily practice is the most important component that makes the adoption of a “philosophy of life” real. Through our learning, we absorb the principles of our philosophy and prepare to act them into existence in the real world. A vital precursor to the application of our philosophy of life is learning what goodness is. After […] The post Finding Purpose: The Joy of Becoming Good appeared first on What Is Stoicism ..read more

When we get used to having certain material things in our lives—certain properties, certain possessions, certain paraphernalia—it’s natural to become complacent and believe that we’ll have them in our lives forever. We lose sight of, or deliberately ignore, the fact that we don’t ultimately have control over whether the things in our lives remain with […] The post A Stoic Get-Rich-Quick Scheme appeared first on What Is Stoicism ..read more

Take a moment to settle into a comfortable position in a safe spot where you won’t be disturbed, allowing your body to relax and your mind to become present. As we embark on this mindful guided meditation, we’ll draw inspiration from the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius, the Stoic Roman emperor, and the insightful reflections of Baltasar Gracián, the 17th-century Spanish philosopher. You follow the text or listen to the audio version of the contemplation above. Let’s begin. Imagine yourself in the shoes of a young Marcus Aurelius, an individual growing up in ancient Rome under the guidance of esteem ..read more

To practice Stoicism is to place a much greater emphasis on the present moment than on the past or the future. Stoics like Marcus Aurelius trained themselves to focus on the here and now. “The present moment is enough for you,” he told himself. As Pierre Hadot wrote in his book Philosophy as a Way of Life, this had a double meaning: It is enough to keep you busy; you have no need to think about anything else; and It is enough to make you happy; there is no need to seek for anything else. It’s almost impossible of course not to think about the past and the future at some point. Take the past ..read more

Here is a short but powerful thought from the Stoic philosopher Seneca’s essay On the Constancy of the Wise: Liberty is having a mind superior to injury, a mind that makes itself the only source from which its pleasures spring, that separates itself from all external things, avoiding the unquiet life of one who fears everybody’s laughter, everybody’s tongue. For if there is anyone who can offer an insult, who cannot? Seneca, On the Constancy of the Wise Man 19.2 Seneca’s words here go against the easy assumption that the ultimate freedom in life would be being liked by absolutely everyone. We ..read more

The following is a short look at Mark Tuitert’s new book, The Stoic Mindset. By way of an intro, here is a snippet from the book’s description: Elite sportsman Mark Tuitert used the principles of Stoic philosophy to become an Olympic gold medallist, champion athlete and successful entrepreneur, overcoming a series of challenges in his professional and private life. Now, in this internationally bestselling book, he lays out the ten practical lessons through which anyone, in any situation, can develop a Stoic mindset. Reading the book, I enjoyed Mark’s accounts of how he used Stoicism to deal ..read more

We all have things we’re attached to. Think of possessions, places, pursuits, and people in your life (or other things that don’t begin with P) that you couldn’t do without. Maybe you have worked hard to accumulate material items you’ve always wanted to have, built a good reputation in your community, or cultivated strong relationships with your family. You appreciate these things but at the same time, you’re terrified of losing them. Like the two-year-old child who thinks everything is “mine”, you put your arms around what you have and grip it ever tighter, ready to throw a tantrum if any of ..read more

In the relentless pursuit of happiness, a common impulse leads us to believe that a change in surroundings will lift the burdens of our minds. Seneca, the ancient philosopher, challenges this instinct in his 28th Letter to Lucilius, inviting us to question whether our travels truly offer escape or merely a temporary reprieve. His message, which doesn’t seem to have been diluted by the passage of time, suggests that what we need isn’t transportation to new scenery but rather a profound transformation within. “You need a change of soul rather than a change of climate,” he writes, emphasizing the ..read more